Are chows really dangerous around kids?

Question

My friend has a chow and I am terrified to go over there because all the dog does is bark at me and I have three kids. My friend says that her dog will never hurt anybody, but I dont want to take the chance!!!

Answer 1

Chows are not the best people dogs.They are nor overaly social and really do not care about people most are not overly affectionate with strangers.
They are not great with kids and tend not to take direction from anyone well. They think on thier own and pretty much do as they please.
I would not let the dog around my kids as if the kids wnted to pet it and it did not want to be petted it might bite at them.
Never take a chance with someone elses dog and your kids.
your kids come first and will always be more important.

Answer 2

You have concern, and there's nothing wrong with that. Ok, here's the deal... No dog is really dangerous, it's the owner's that are dangerous. Calm down, it's an observation. Now, you are projecting fear for yourself and your children. Her dog will pick up on this fear and react to it, hence maybe growling. You see, all dogs, (and they are dogs), are made up of energy. This energy is a way in which they communicate in the wild when they run in packs. All dogs can pick up on human's energy. When you are fearful, happy, or excited. So, if you really aren't sure about this dog, then I would ask your friend to put the dog in another room, outside or kennel. There's nothing wrong with that. If your friend does not understand this, then that's her lose. You don't need to put yourself in that situation. Also, I'm wondering why the dog is acting in this manner in the first place. He should be behaving and not carrying on in such a manner. Such as she should put him on a collar and leash and while you are over at the house, she should have him near her and correcting him each and everytime he growls, etc. However, this is something that may take a bit of time for him to overcome. I'm talking it could take months. If the dog is older and has been carrying on this way, then yes, it could possibly take some time. No one should ever put themselves into an uncomfortable situation, weather it's a dog, humans, whatever the case may be. Thank you for asking this question. I hope I've been able to help a little.

Answer 3

I'm a dog person but I'm usually afraid of chows. I had one charge me and my toddler a few years ago. Something made it change its mind at the last minute and it turned and ran off, but ever since I've been leary of them. If your friend was being a responsible pet owner, she would not allow it to bark at you or your children. Do not under any circumstances leave your children alone with it. She needs to teach it appropriate behavior. She should probably crate it when you and your children are over since your presence seems to agitate it. Make sure your children know not to tease it and the dangers in doing so. Some children do not understand what teasing is.

But yeah, what the other person said. Chows sometimes don't have the best people skills. We do have a friend with a chow/golden retriever mix and he is really sweet.

Answer 4

If a dog knows that you are afaird of it regardless of the breed it will try to intimadate you. Chows tend to be a one person or family pet and are very protective over them.
I don't believe any dog is bad just because of the breed. Any dog can be mean if they are lend to believe they are the boss of the home. If you are concerned either have your friend but the dog in another room or don't go around the dog. I was a vet tech and I never had problems with Chows. The worst dog I had to deal with was a pekiense.

Answer 5

How old/active are the children? Honestly, all dogs have a chance to be dangerous around children, because some kids are aware that they could be irritating the dog, and the dog only has so much control over instincts/reactions. If you're uncomfortable with your kids being around the dog, you're probably right. Everyone has a special pair of rose-colored glasses in their heart for their dog. She might not even realize that the dog could bite your kids. Follow your guts and take care of you and your children. Just because it's a little dog doesn't mean it can't break the skin when it bites.

Answer 6

You need to look at dogs as individuals, not as breeds. There are "nice" and "mean" dogs of every single breed (and mix) that exists.

That said, if the dog barks at you continously, you shouldn't have to be exposed to it. If you are uncomfortable your friend should put the dog away (lock in bedroom, crate, backyard, whereever). If your friend refuses, then you need to trust your own judgement, and if you feel that you should stay away then you have nothing to apologize for.

After a dog attack, it's very common for people to say "I never thought my dog would do that". People have a tendency to only picture their sweet pooch the way he is at home alone in the living room, and to wrongly assume that just because he has never bitten anyone that he never will.

A barking dog is trying to communicate. It is dog language for "I don't like you here and I am uncomfortable". It is a actually a happy thing when a dog warns you that he is uncomfortable by growling or barking. This gives us a chance to DO something about it by putting him in a situation that is more comfortable (say locking him in bedroom or crate). When we ignore what the dog is trying to tell us, that's when he has to take the next step in dog language, and that's by using teeth. Some dogs go to teeth quickly, some never do, but you can never, ever predict when one day the dog may just have had enough. Much better to listen to what the dog is saying in the first place. And much, much better is to work with the dog to help him feel more comfortable, but that, of course, is your friend's job, not yours. You should not expose yourself or your children to a situation that you feel might be unsafe.

Answer 7

it depends on the dog. some chows i've met are very nice, others aren't what you should do is bring the kids over, but don't let them touch the dog or get too close. slowly have them get closer to the dog over time (days or weeks). the dog will get used to them and there will be a lesser chance of the dog being afraid and biting.

Answer 8

chows are a very hard breed to socialize. If the chow is not used to kids and your kids are not used to it...I would not take the chance to mix the two. The dog may be well behaved with it's owner, but if one of your children was to touch it the wrong way, or pull it's tail or something...it may bite to defend itself.

Answer 9

I was a veterianary technician for 5 years and I hated about 96% of the chows that came through the door.

They are mean, tempramental and agressive. The were not origionally bred to be pets anyway.

They are a chinese dog. Think about what Chow means on a chinese menu....

Answer 10

My sisters chow bark a lot to and would not hurt a fly. She had kids. Remenber that all dogs are just wolfs and you need to be careful around large dogs of all breeds. They do not bite more often that small dogs in fact small one bite more, they do more damage.